Payne benched in Bears secondary shakeup
September 18, 2009 2:40 PM
Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert
Chicago is continuing to fiddle with its defensive secondary, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Sun-Times and ESPN Chicago colleague Jeff Dickerson.
Danieal Manning has reclaimed his job as the starting free safety, a job he held before a hamstring injury sidelined him in training camp. And in a surprise, rookie Al Afalava will remain the starter at strong safety in the new lineup. Veteran Kevin Payne, who has started 18 consecutive games dating back to 2007, has been benched.
Not to take anything away from Afalava, but you would think the Bears would want maximum experience on the field this Sunday against Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Yet as Biggs points out, Payne bit on a play-action fake during Green Bay receiver Greg Jennings’ 50-yard touchdown pass Sunday night at Lambeau Field.
Manning handled the nickel position against the Packers and it’s possible he’ll remain in that role against the Steelers. If he does, you wonder if he’ll continue to return kickoffs. Dickerson suggests that rookie speedster Johnny Knox could pick up those duties.
Sunday’s loss led to a 50 percent turnover in the Bears’ secondary. Cornerback Nate Vasher, who slipped while covering Jennings on the touchdown, has also been benched and replaced by second-year player Zack Bowman.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post?id=3460
This puts a real wrench in my prediction that Payne would have a pro bowl season.
